At the beginning of the school year, students saw two new faces in the Athletic Program: Jerry Carter, the new athletic director, and Jeffery Bailey, our new Athletic Trainer. Both look forward to furthering their careers at Briar Woods.

Last October, Joe Breinig Senior announced that he was retiring as Briar Woods High School Athletic Director. After working in the school system for 40 years, and being named Virginia’s Group AA top athletic director in 2007, he decided to settle down.

When Breinig retired, Jerry Carter stepped in to become Briar Woods’ new athletic director. Carter worked at Liberty High School for 14 years. He spent 28 years as a teacher, coach, and activities director in Fauquier County. Carter is a welcomed addition as he known for his hard work ethic.

Carter got involved in the business by becoming a coach, a position he held for 14 years. “I didn’t coach in high school,” he said, “ but I still wanted to be involved with athletics, and there was an opening for an Athletic Director.” Being an Athletic Director, Carter administers all of the athletic programs at our school. “I oversee budgets, make sure the referees come to the games, keep players in check, [make sure] games are on schedule, and fields are ready.” At Liberty High School he did not get to do what he really wanted to do. “[It’s] basically the same job, except I get to concentrate more on athletics here.”

When Mr. Carter heard that there was an open position at Briar Woods he took interest in the new job offer. “Joe Breinig was my mentor 14 years ago,” he recalls. ”He’s a good friend, and I heard Briar Woods was a good place. Also, I already knew Mr. Starzenski.” Mr. Carter puts a lot of time into our school’s athletics. “Briar Woods is great, great staff, Mr. Fox is wonderful to work with, the kids are great, overall just a really great experience”.

Another great staff member was Marco Mastrangelo, who recently left Briar Woods for the opportunity of a new job. Marco was well known around our school as our athletic trainer because of all the time he put into his work. When Marco took the new job offer, Jeffery Bailey found himself at Briar Woods to further his career.

Bailey is a 2008 graduate from Shenandoah University with a Masters of Science in Athletic Training. He has had many clinical rotations, including Shepherd University Football, Handley High School spring sports, James Wood High School, and Shenandoah University with women’s basketball and baseball. He was named Most Outstanding Graduate Student for the class of 2008 from Shenandoah University. Bailey was also presented with National Clinical Symposium and was published in the Journal of Athletic Training.

Bailey got involved with Athletic Training because of his passion for sports and from the persuasion of his college professors. When asked about working at a high school he said, “Honestly I like the atmosphere, the staff is wonderful and the pay is better.” As an Athletic Trainer Bailey has to make sure everyone is feeling their best. If they have a problem he tries to help them fix it no matter what it is. He makes sure that all the players are ready to go before their game or practice. “Its another day at work,”

Bailey gets to see some terrifying and disgusting things. “[I’ve seen some gross things] some good dislocations, fractures, broken noses, and one of the players had a wart the size of a quarter on the bottom of his foot.” This is the first time that Bailey gets to work by himself in a high school in Loudoun County. 01His effort and his dedication do not go unnoticed.

Bailey is always in his training room before practices and on the football field for their practice to make sure nothing goes wrong. He stays after practices to make sure that everyone is feeling all right and that they are fit to play. His enthusiasm for his job is very visible to everyone around him.

Carter and Bailey are just two staff members that make our school a wonderful place. Being the two new staff members in the athletic department, they get to see our school and our sports. Both Carter and Bailey are excited about continuing their careers at Briar Woods. Both of them are highly recommended in their professions due to their years of experience. The school is excited about them continuing to work here as the years go on.